Legislator Profile: Fernando Cabrera – New York City Council District 14

Overview of Profiles: Legislator profiles were designed to provide a snapshot of New York legislators, their issues of concern, any legislation they have been integral in passing, and how they might be interested in issues related to dance. This information was gathered through Internet research yielding news articles and through candidate's district and campaign website.

Concerns as they relate to dance: Dance programs as part of education and youth development, as part of social justice or cultural programs, dance therapy programs

Biography:

Born in the Bronx to a Dominican father and Puerto Rican mother on April 16, 1964, Dr. Fernando Cabrera learned early in life the value of standing up for his community and working families. While pursuing his graduate degree in Virginia, Dr. Cabrera directed New Life for Youth, one of the most successful rehabilitation programs in the nation.

In 1988 Dr. Cabrera continued his work as a Substance Abuse Intervention/Prevention counselor, servicing most of the high schools in the Bronx. He later became a bilingual school counselor at Walton High School. Eventually he created the first Mental Health Counseling graduate program in New York State while teaching at Mercy College. Working in the public school system has given him inside knowledge on how many public schools are failing to educate and provide for our children. Dr. Cabrera received his Doctorate in Counseling from Argosy University and in 2000 became the program director for the graduate Counseling program at Mercy College, which has tripled in enrollment under his leadership.

A tireless community activist, Dr. Cabrera has worked in leadership positions since his early twenties. For the last four years, he has co-chaired the Hispanic-Jewish Relations Task Force for Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, bringing communities together by working together with projects such as "It's My Park" Clean Up Day at St. James Park. Dr. Cabrera has also served as an active and effective member of Community Board 7. In recent years, Dr. Cabrera has lobbied the State Legislature to halt the reduction of funding for senior citizens, rehabilitation programs, and schools. Since 2007 he has worked to secure local jobs for local community members at the Kingsbridge Armory and led the largest March for Youth in the Bronx, advocating for the old Fordham Library to be turned over to the community as a Youth Dream Center. As a passionate worker for youth, Dr. Cabrera has partnered with DARE to launch a successful concert series at St. James Park, providing free high-quality entertainment and a positive message for youth and adults in the area. When he sees something that needs to be fixed, he doesn't wait for someone else to do it, he motivates the people and finds the resources to get the job done.

Following his return to New York in 1988, Dr. Cabrera and his wife, Elvia, started a church called New Life Outreach International, a congregation which has grown to nearly 400 members. As a pastor, he has led his congregation toward community action against violence, implemented youth leadership programs, and offered free drug rehabilitation services and support groups. He has worked tirelessly for this church since 1988 without receiving a salary. He loves the Bronx and believes that the future is promising, but he also knows that we need strong leaders to guide and shape that future. He believes that if you passionately work toward the things you believe in, the results will come, and his record of accomplishments and vision for the future is a testament to that.

A true friend of the environment, Dr. Cabrera is currently working on an innovative joint venture to create 80 apartments as well as community space in a housing development project that will create one of the newest environmentally-friendly buildings in the area. Dr. Cabrera is committed to working for every measure that brings better air quality to the Bronx, brings relief to the thousands of Bronx children who are suffering from asthma, and helps the overall environment.

A family man, Dr. Cabrera has been married to Elvia Cabrera for 23 years. They have two wonderful children, Lissette Feliciano (29), who is married to youth leader Carlos Feliciano, and Joshua (20) who has worked with him to bring positive change to the Bronx and is currently studying at Columbia University. Councilman Cabrera is the proud grandfather of two boys, Zechariah and Nehemiah Feliciano. For his excellence in public service, Fernando Cabrera has received numerous recognitions from organizations and government officials, including two Citations of Merit from Bronx Borough Presidents Adolfo Carrion and Fernando Ferrer as well as a recognition from the Latin and African American Chaplain Organization.

Councilman Cabrera often states that the major source of joy in his life is being a part of his family and his community.